Rock Regeneration

Aug03

Empire Affair/Let’s Go Safari/The Kleek

on August 3rd, 2013 at 20:16

The Anvil, Bournemouth

For those of you who assume that the Anvil in Bournemouth is just for Metal Heads, you should think again. The promotions team at the venue are working flat out to provide their valued customers with a huge amount of varied live entertainment.

Tonight’s headliners “Empire Affair” play their first gig in Bournemouth town for a while. This is a rather intimate setting which should give the band ample warm up for some exciting gigs in August and September. They are set to play at Mr Kyps supporting The Hoosiers, and have two late-season festivals at “Party In The Park” in Ashley Cross and “Boscombe Community Fair” in Kings Park, Bournemouth.

The first band on are a new Bournemouth outfit called “The Kleek”, and despite the high temperatures a couple of them are looking very dapper in suits. The five-piece band featuring three guitar players have their influences mainly anchored within the 60’s – particularly the Mod culture – with a generous helping of Brit Pop on the side. Lead singer Lewis Mayo gets himself a little frustrated at the start due to a few technical problems with his guitar, but they are soon sorted and the band settle down to play their set. The band performs some very well-written songs such as “Hit The Road” and the fantastic “Shine On Me,” a track which was really infectious. Lau Fricker, bass player from upcoming local band “Hooligan Choir” steps up to join them on a electric guitar for a bit of a blues jam for their final number, rounding off the set perfectly.

The Kleek 1

“Let’s Go Safari” are up next with their sugar-coated style of Indie Pop Rock. The five-piece provide the audience with plenty of radio-friendly tunes. As well as playing some of their own material the band tease the audience with a couple of familiar covers, a version of Bloc Party’s “Banquet” and a well-executed version of “A Punk” by Vampire Weekend, which were both received very well by the audience.

A brand new, superbly catchy tune, “The Harder They Fall” used the band’s twin guitars to great effect. Lead singer Ryan was warm and friendly throughout, and made the audience feel very welcome and at ease. All in all, the band provided an entertaining forty five minutes on stage, warming up the audience for the main attraction.

Let’s Go Safari 1

We make no secret of the fact that here at Rock Regeneration “Empire Affair” is one of our favourite bands on the local music scene today. The reasons behind this are numerous and anyone who has seen them perform live will understand why we love them so much. Tonight the band – with a flair for catchy tunes – delivers a set full of audience-pleasing highlights. Don’t get me wrong, they are not the most polished band musically or vocally, but they have plenty of ingredients which keep their audiences hooked. Front man Neil Talent uses every ounce of his energy to cavort around the stage executing visual and vocal delights, and wing men Matt and Jack inspire with some really well put together guitar lines.

Empire Affair 1–2

The band ends, as always, with “Tornadoes”, encouraging the audience to sing along; a thoroughly uplifting experience. Check out the band’s website and make such you don’t miss their next gig. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Set-Lists
Empire Affair
Can You Feel It
One Night In Munich
More
I’m Just Starting
Point Break
Can’t Get Through
Animals
December
Dancing On The Moon
Videos Games(Lana Del Ray)
Tornadoes

Let’s Go Safari
New Song
Banquet(Bloc Party)
Canopy
Royalist
A Punk(Vampire Weekend)
Christianity
Harder They Fall

The Kleek
I Guess I’m Alight
What Will Be Will Be
Hit The Road
Where Did It All Go Wrong
If I Could Only Be Sure
Shine On Me
Get Some Emotion
Good & Bad

Videos